Chapter 63: The Great Sect Protection Array

The next day, outside the gates of Shengjing.

A vast procession of men and horses stretched for miles. Amidst the mighty throng, one banner stood out, fluttering boldly at the front. Upon it, in imposing script, were the words: “Azure Dragon Stronghold.”

A booming voice echoed across the fields, resounding with grandeur, further rousing the morale of the Azure Dragon Stronghold. “You wretches inside Shengjing Gate, you’re surrounded! If you wish to live, come out and surrender at once!”

At the lead of the Azure Dragon Stronghold rode a middle-aged master in the Golden Core stage. Eyes shut, he sat his horse in quiet meditation, awaiting Shengjing Gate’s response.

A young man clad in armor approached and addressed him. “Father, why are we still waiting for Shengjing Gate to surrender? Our forces have besieged them completely—why not simply storm in?”

The middle-aged man’s expression was complicated. “We cannot be certain they have no means of saving themselves. It’s what concerns me most.”

The young man scoffed. “We’re already at their doorstep and they don’t dare show themselves. What could they possibly be hiding, Father? Aren’t you overthinking this?”

No sooner had he finished than Li Jian-san emerged from within Shengjing Gate, his demeanor impatient. “So many of you here to seek apprenticeship? I’m exhausted today. Come back tomorrow. Off you go, now…”

The sight left everyone stunned. The entire Shengjing Gate appeared deserted, save for this youth. Had they truly sent out only a single boy? Was Shengjing Gate truly so depleted, or did they simply not regard the Azure Dragon Stronghold as a threat?

“Scoundrel! Enough nonsense! Get back in there and tell your Sect Master to come out and surrender!” the young man from Azure Dragon Stronghold shouted angrily.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the Azure Dragon Stronghold ranks. “Young Master Xue, be careful! He is the Young Master of Shengjing Gate—cunning and dangerous.”

This young man was none other than Xue Ninghai, son of the current deputy leader of Azure Dragon Stronghold. The speaker was the former Grand Elder, who had recently escaped from Shengjing Gate.

Li Jian-san’s expression flickered at the sight of the Grand Elder.

Hearing the warning, Xue Ninghai replied with scorn, “What kind of storm could he possibly stir up in front of me?” He strode toward Li Jian-san. “So, you are the Young Master of Shengjing Gate? Watch how I take you down!”

Though he spoke bravely, Xue Ninghai was still wary, not daring to approach too near the gate—after all, even the Grand Elder had suffered at this youth’s hands.

“Young Master of Shengjing Gate, come here now, kneel before me, and perhaps I’ll spare your worthless life,” Xue Ninghai declared smugly.

But Li Jian-san didn’t even look at him. “Weren’t you just saying you’d take me down? Why so timid now?” he asked coolly. “You lot… Azure Dragon Stronghold, was it? So, the whole stronghold is just a bunch of cowards?”

The faces of the Azure Dragon Stronghold men darkened with anger.

“You!” Xue Ninghai’s face turned black with fury. “You insolent brat, still mouthing off when death is at your door! Once I flatten Shengjing Gate, I’ll skin you alive, tear you limb from limb, and trample you like a dog beneath my feet—let’s see how arrogant you are then!”

Li Jian-san only sighed. “Big talk is all you have. If you’ve got the guts, come over here.” He beckoned with a finger, never once casting a direct glance at Xue Ninghai, his disdain clear for all to see.

Xue Ninghai was trembling with rage. “Shut your mouth, boy! Enough arrogance—”

A few simple words from Li Jian-san had left Xue Ninghai speechless and humiliated. The Grand Elder shook his head—this boy was still far too young. Just a few taunts and his composure was lost. By contrast, Li Jian-san remained utterly unruffled, making the Grand Elder increasingly suspicious that some ancient monster was lurking within the youth’s heart.

“You can boast for now, boy, but once I’ve beaten the lot of you, we’ll see how smug you are! Today, I’ll have you begging on your knees for mercy!”

Li Jian-san merely smiled. “Oh? You’ll have me begging on my knees? What a joke. Do you really think Shengjing Gate has no protective grand array? If you want to deal with me, you’d best break the array first.”

“Hah! As if breaking your formation is a problem. You think we came unprepared?” Xue Ninghai sneered, then shouted back, “Grand Elder, it’s time!”

At his call, the Grand Elder strode forth from the crowd.

Li Jian-san spoke: “I doubt you know much about Shengjing Gate’s grand array. Perhaps you’re unaware that only the Sect Master knows its secrets. Taking in this traitor of ours seems to have been of little use to you.”

The Grand Elder let out a cold laugh. “Young Master, you needn’t worry. I’ve already read the secret scrolls of the sect’s grand array.”

Li Jian-san’s body visibly tensed. “How could you possibly have accessed those secret scrolls?”

The Grand Elder smiled coldly. “It’s simple—you people are fools. Before your father entered seclusion, he entrusted that vital task to me. Without the slightest effort, I acquired the secrets of your protective array. Tell me, isn’t that sheer stupidity?”

With a few peals of laughter, he began forming strange hand seals, casting a dazzling beam of light toward the sky above Shengjing Gate.

A sound like rushing water rose as veils of light opened within Shengjing Gate—then, in moments, all was still.

The Grand Elder sneered. “Young Master Xue, the Shengjing Gate’s grand array is dispelled. The sect is now defenseless.”

At this, Xue Ninghai charged at Li Jian-san, bellowing, “Let’s see if I don’t break every bone in your body!”

At last able to vent his frustration, Xue Ninghai threw caution aside and rushed at Li Jian-san, determined to beat him beyond recognition.

Yet Li Jian-san, seeing Xue Ninghai charging, showed not the slightest hint of fear. Instead, his lips curved in a playful smile.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged master on horseback noticed the change in Li Jian-san’s expression and sensed that something was amiss. The unease in his heart grew.

“No! Hai’er, fall back, you’re walking into a trap!” he shouted.

But Xue Ninghai, already charging full speed, could not possibly retreat.

“It’s too late!”